We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to
bring you this news update.

"Good evening, I'm Jack Pranscal for CBS News. Our
latest West Coast correspondent, Nadeen Sune, is live
at Metroplex with news of some disturbing developments.
And we warn you: some of what you are about to see may
be distressing. Nadeen?"

"Jack! The streets here at Metroplex are raw with
rage and violence! As you can see behind me, the
airport tower is swathed in plasma fire. People are
battering down Metroplex security and destroying
everything in their path. The CDA has attempted to
crack down by re-declaring martial law, but even with
shots fired and several Autobots wounded, there seems
no end to the riots."

"Can you tell us approximately when the riots
started, Nadeen?"

"Jack-"

Static.

Pause.

"We apologize. It seems we've lost the feed-"

"Jack!"

"We're receiving you, Nadeen."

"Jack, I could not believe my eyes ... can-can we
turn the camera there? There! Do you see it?
Unbelievable! Defensor, the Autobot combiner, has just
ripped off one of the city's cannons. We're standing
just outside the thickest part of the carnage-Not one
building in a six-block radius is left untouched by
this ... this madness. The Defense Administration has
issued their private militia to assist Metroplex city
police. But it seems like their law enforcement is
being swallowed by the violence-"

Static.

Static.

Jack: "We are experiencing technical difficulties
through Nadeen Sune's feed. But our CBS affiliate from
KBOT, Metroplex, Kara Watkins, is with us now. Kara,
what can you tell us what is currently going on?"

"Jack, the Autobot community is tearing itself
apart. As you know, we're going into Day Three of
Rodimus Prime's trial and there has been nothing but
chaotic disarray. We spoke with Senior Security
Advisor, Streamline earlier and he tells us over ninety
Autobots have checked into repair bays with sudden
depressive or anger disorder symptoms. Whether this has
any connection with current events is unclear. Either
way, all work on or in Metroplex has been suspended
until further notice. Citizens, officers and workers
have been ordered confined to their quarters. But at
the moment, it's pretty clear no one is paying
attention to the Defense Administration or its
spokesbot, Alpha Trion."

"Kara, any further news about City Commander Ultra
Magnus or City Director, Optimus Prime?"

"Jack, not one word is forthcoming about either
Ultra Magnus or Optimus Prime. It's as if both of them
have fallen off the planet."

"As you know, Kara, the whole world is watching the
trial right now and there are people protesting against
the way the trial is being conducted. What have you
heard about it from those living in the city?"

"Jack, there is mass confusion. The Autobots, for
the most part, love Alpha Trion, but they are also
loyal to Rodimus Prime and these people are like
children caught in a bitter divorce between two
parents. They don't know who to support."

"Kara, thank you so much."

"Jack."

"We will keep you up to date as events develop and
we hope to get through to Nadeen Sune very shortly. I'm
Jack Pranscal for CBS News in Central City, Oregon.

*

Mars

Cold-season winds brushed the dead-dry landscape.
dust devils warped into frenzied gusts and died
instantly. Decepticon footprints defaced the Martian
red soil and traveled as far as three miles. Galvatron
and Cyclonus led a chosen band of specialists along the
outskirts of the Quintesson mining facility. While
squad hung back per orders, Cyclonus and Galvatron
advanced to a solid rocky outcropping piled upon a
precipice overlooking the facility.

Of course, they could have sent faithful Ravage to
do the reconnaissance. Cyclonus, however, had better
plans for the kitty.

Galvatron scrunched next to his superior officer
and friend. Nothing delighted him more than knowing he
and the boys now have the opportunity to utilize their
new weaponry. And what better way to test it than on a
nest of Quintessons? Galvatron resurveyed the area
through a set of refined binoculars. He scoffed both in
amusement and disgust. "Count them, Cyclonus! One.
Four. Six. Six sleepy little Sharkticons in a fifty-mile radius. Amateurs."

"They believe no one is foolish enough to raid the
facility, Galvatron. After all, the Quintessons are
allied with someone of great power. What have they to
fear?"

Galvatron's optics flared. "This is a multi-level
complex complete with a snack bar and community bath
house. What would you like to do?"

Cyclonus re-examined the mining facility from their
vantage point. The semi-warped base twisted into the
Martian canyon. Wind-swept dust powered the landing pad
atop the facility. Several docking bays pocketed the
mining camp on all sides. Seven cannon turrets
protruded from all sides. From the building's second
'twist, a waterfall of green-brown liquid refuse
splattered a mountain of refuse rising from the canyon
flooring. Not only were Quintessons gross, they made
bad tenants.

"Eliminate the cannons first. Distract the guards
on one side. Let's infiltrate here." Cyclonus pointed
to the waste outlet.

Galvatron grinned. He knew exactly who to send in.
The two Decepticon commander returned to their troop.
The group of twenty soldiers and Optimus kept close to
the ground, huddled in a shallow cave. The five femmes
appointed ground support stood watch until Cyclonus
returned. Soundwave pointed to Ravage in a question no
one heard. Cyclonus' detached gaze drifted from the
cybercat to Optimus.

A restless Frenzy kicked a stone at his foretoe and
swung his arms. They clanged at his hips and he
impatiently sighed. "Are we gonna do somethin' here?
Cuz I'm starting to rust inta the landscape."

Galvatron grinned maliciously as he prepped a
tracking device then checked a small fusion bomb. "It
delights me to hear you complain, Frenzy. You know how
I always look for ways and the means to keep you
preoccupied.

"Uh..."

"The fact that you're unbearably short can be
highly advantageous."

"Uh..."

"It's sheer glee to shove you into a-er-situation
where no one else will fit."

"Uh..."

"Ergo, Shortstuff, you get to go through the waste
lines and up the garbage chute."

"Uh, wait, Galvaron! Y'knows, I was just kidding!"
Frenzy received that look from both Galvatron and
Cyclonus. "How come I gotta do it?" the punk whined.
"Why not Ravage? He climbs better than me!"

Cyclonus smiled cold. "The squeaky wheel get fixed,
Frenzy. Time to go."

Galvatron chortled and purposely dropped the
tracker and the fusion bomb. "Oops!"

Frenzy freaked and grabbed the falling bomb. The
tracker bonked him on the head with a resounding KLANG!
"Ow!" Frenzy yelled. "Hey, you coulda blown us all up,
ya moron!"

"Don't be such a spineless glop of grease,"
Galvatron sneered. "I have the detonator here."

Cyclonus intervened with a shake of his head.
"Soundwave, you team hits first."

Cyclonus continued, "Ladies," he said to the
femmes, "you have the cannon. Galvatron, you,
Soundwave, Flatline, Mudslide and Inclimate move during
the raid. I and the rest will follow in."

Soundwave and his team headed out except Ravage.
The panther sat next to Optimus when Cyclonus
approached. "I made a promise to Rodimus we'd look
after you. I'm certain that did not mean taking you
along to battle."

"Rodimus would find that amusing on one hand and a
bit out of bounds on the other, Cyclonus."

Optimus did not respond to Cyclonus' bashful smile.
The Decepticon commander could not look his charge in
the optic until he regained composure. "That is
certainly true, Optimus. Nonetheless, I am not
comfortable with the idea of you on the forefront. I'd
rather you stay with Ravage. After all, we both know
you are not ... as you were."

"I know. But I still think I can handle it. If I
get into a problem I will call for help. Or you can
assign Ravage to back me up if that makes you feel more
at ease."

Cyclonus gazed at the silent black cat. Ravage sat
attentive, ready to move at the word of command.
Cyclonus nodded, agreeing to the idea.

Frenzy snuck down the canyon to avoid flying.
Soundwave guided him via internal com channels. The
communication officer ignored Frenzy's complaints and
expletives as the punk cassette climbed his way into
the disposal system.

The Decepticon infiltration party waited, watching
the facility with intense anticipation.

Optimus unintentionally laid his hand on Ravage's
back. His thoughts raced for Rodimus and he wished
they'd move the operation more quickly. Things were not
well either on Earth or Cybertron and he regretted his
inability to intercede.

Before Cyclonus spoke the command to attack, all
the bases' entryways slid open. Six winged snakes
darted out every side. All Decepticons laid low and
huddled close to the shadows until the senior officers
assessed the new threat. Galvatron and Cyclonus watched
the deadly but graceful Quintesson air support.
Cyclonus studied their sleek design and flying
capabilities while Galvatron searched for fire power
and weaknesses.

The Decepticon leader spoke through a private
channel to his second-in-command: "There's nothing to
indicate their speed capacity, Galvatron."

"I see no exterior weaponry. It might be internal,
optical lasers or an oral weapon."

"I have an idea." Cyclonus hunched, prepared to
spring into flight. "Maybe they're smart enough to take
bait." Galvatron gripped his commander's wrist, his
optics silently expressing his reservation on an
otherwise foolhardy idea. "Not to worry, Galvatron. I
have no intention of dying. Set up a shooting gallery."

Galvatron visage brightened like a child, he let
Cyclonus go and ordered a battle line reformation as
their commander leapt off the cliff side, transformed
and sped through the Martian air.

In one-seventieth of a second, the dragon-like
creatures tailed the Decepticon like vultures on a
flying turkey dinner. Cyclonus veered away, leading his
entourage of serpents further and further from home. To
his surprise, they kept up in speed. But were they
equally as agile?

Cyclonus 'bellied-up" and flew upside down. He
twisted round a towering rock face, daring the tagging
snakes to do the same. Cyclonus dipped into a shallow
canyon where a sheet of ice barely reflected his image
in the cold Martian light. The serpents glided along
and chittered like a swarm of cicadae. One serpent
poured on speed and inched its way toward Cyclonus.

Not to be outdone by a mechanical animal, the
Decepticon leader pressed on the throttle and shot
straight up. He twisted once, twice, then dropped like
a chunk of ice. His momentum stirred dust and rocks,
leaving a few serpents in the wake of his passing.

At that point, the Decepticons realigned their
formation and held steady, waiting for the signal. At
the last moment, Galvatron handed a laser rifle to
Optimus Prime.

"I hate to see anyone get bored during a field
exercise," he joked.

Optimus stared him in the optics and recalculated
the weapon without looking at it. "Very considerate of
you, Galvatron."

"Do not thank me. You might miss." Optimus did not
quite smile, but his optics lit with the idea of a
little competition.

Here they came. Optimus checked his payload. Twenty
shots. He counted fifty-five 'birds'. Cyclonus already
hit mach two. So the targets would be next to
impossible to hit on the fly-by. Soundwave ticked off
the distance and speed; eight thousand feet, mach 1.9.
wind velocity at point two four knots.

Optimus read into the balance between Martian
atmospheric disturbance, light distortion and
proximity. He took aim, held steady and remained
mindful of all other weapons charging around him.
Hopefully he held a reliable weapon.

Optimus did not hear Soundwave at the last
nanosecond. He caught the perfect moment and shot two,
six, ten times.

Galvatron followed with three bursts while the
majority of the other warriors waited too long.

Cyclonus made his one-shot pass and dropped into
the canyon. The serpents, now a full one-third fewer,
did the same. Eager to join, the Decepticon femmes dove
off the precipice, shifted to jet mode and engaged in
elimination. Cyclonus shot straight into space where he
vaporized a series of satellites.

Far below, one Decepticon femme chased a serpent
round and round the facility as the landing pad lifted
and flowered. A Quintesson escape ship spewed clouds of
billowing hydrogen.

The chasing femme shifted back to robot form,
grabbed her prey by the tail and climbed along the
best's back. Using the dark crest atop its head, the
femme guided the monster-now-missile into the ship.

The corkscrew ship blew and took the serpent with
it. The daring femme smacked the second level balcony.
Another femme and the 'con called 'Inclimate' flew to
her rescue. Her sisters, meanwhile, encircled the
facility, either in jet mode or on serpent bareback.
One by one, they bombed the laser cannons.

At the destruction of cannon Number Three,
Galvatron led his team into the facility doorways.
Cyclonus landed next to Optimus and Ravage. "Seems too
easy," he grumbled.

Optimus nodded as his optics surveyed the scene. A
few guards poured out the broken doors, but not enough
to overpower Galvatron. "I do not think they planned
for a Decepticon attack, Cyclonus."

Upon Galvatron's incoming signal, Cyclonus led the
remaining detachment across the only bridge. Three
Decepticons eliminated oncoming attackers as they fled
or charged. One level below, Galvatron and two of his
team members blasted Sharkticons left and right.

"Make short work of them, boys!" Galvatron ordered.
"I want to be home in time to watch wrestling finals!"

Cyclonus and his staff swarmed into the facility
while the femmes joined Galvatron. They pressed inward
and exterminated potential 'competition with almost no
effort or resistance.

Optimus followed the entourage of Decepticon forces
straight into the nest of Quintessons. One thing about
the Decepticons under Cyclonus: no room for
inefficiency. Galvatron verbally snapped at slackers
and his voice echoed from several unseen areas.
Quintessons and their minions hung upside down,
suspended by energy chains. Most hung dead, shot
through the optics. Optimus suspected most Quints did
not see their attackers, or if they did, they did not
live long enough to bargain for their lives.

Ravage sniffed the air and snarled in disgust.
Sulfur and old death stagnated in the reprocessed
atmosphere.

A femme flew up from a lower level and spoke
quietly to Cyclonus. She gestured so that Optimus
guessed she spoke of prisoners. Cyclonus silently
nodded then answered an internal communique. His bright
optics caught Optimus' attention. Cyclonus cut the
communique and signaled for Optimus and Ravage to
follow him the next level down.

At a sentry's corner, Galvatron, Hellion and Offkey
held a five-faced Quint lord at gunpoint.

Galvatron flipped the settings on his rifle from
stun to vaporize. "Careful, Cyclonus," he said
humorously, "this one speaks American English."

Cyclonus did not smile, though Optimus could tell
the Decepticon commander liked the joke.

"Tell us, Quintesson, who authorized your control
over this facility?"

"I'll tell you nothing, Decepticon. Our business
associates have paid us handsomely in advance."

"Hmm." Cyclonus gazed at Optimus then at Galvatron.
"Very well. Optimus, let's you and I go on a tour.
Galvatron, you may play Quintesson Wheel of Fortune.
Let me know if you've won anything." the Decepticon
commander herded Optimus and Ravage out the area and
down the next level so that neither of them heard
Galvatron's interrogation techniques.

Decepticon Team Three worked swiftly to free Human
slaves and assist wounded and disabled. One man,
hardened and haggard by three months of forced labor,
approached Optimus and Cyclonus. His bearing alone told
them he was once a combat soldier.

"I was wondering when someone was going to get wind
of this operation. The Quintessons have kept it working
full-force from their basses on Cybertron.

"Bases?" Cyclonus repeated. "Rodimus Prime said he
found only one."

"There's three of them."

Optimus lowered to one knee. The Human's face
appeared strangely dark as though death hovered over
him. "Do you know their location?"

"Phantom Zone. Constellate Cygnus A, Level Six and
the third is somewhere along the rout to Shredder's
Gilt Gorge."

The last one is in the Dark Zone," Cyclonus added.

"Commander," Soundwave's harmonic vocalizer called.
"This may be of interest."

Cyclonus left with Soundwave but Optimus lingered.
The Autobot took everything in; the sights and sounds
of agony, distress and death, the general feel of
bloodlust resulting in emotional and physical torture.
Part of Optimus mourned for those who suffered. Part of
him smoldered in confused anger. How could one species
do this to another? Evil certainly enjoyed creating
victims.

Cyclonus returned. Resolve burned within his
optics. "We're not leaving this facility operational."

He just finished the initial sentence when
Galvatron joined them wiping his hands on a towel.
"There are three preparation facilities on Cybertron
one of which lies in the old Gilt Gorge. Not only were
the Humans here processing black energon, they became
the black energon."

Galvatron glanced to Optimus. "Then you'll like
this one, Cyclonus. This facility is funded through the
Defense Administration by special interest groups
organized through Contrara of Severtek City, Exel Pi
from the Corregation Square and Arbitous Chi."

"Not surprising," Cyclonus frowned.

Galvatron leaned forward slightly and added, "forty
years ago."

Optimus grew cold. "They must have operations and
bases all through the quadrant then! It means Mars is
one of several."

Cyclonus' optics narrowed. "All the mining done on
Mars must be designed to build other facilities
elsewhere-to accommodate and include other species of
life forms. Galvatron, you and I will go to Earth with
a strike force." He turned to Optimus. "You will rescue
Ultra Magnus first. We'll need someone who knows how to
control Autobot City. Soundwave will remain here to
tear down this facility."

The Mars mining station was not foremost on
Optimus' mind, however. "Cyclonus, you must rescue
Rodimus first. They intend to execute him."

Cyclonus surprised their Autobot charge by laying
hands on Optimus' arms. "I want you to understand:
We're not going there to be heros; we're going in to
eliminate the entire administration, Optimus. We're
going in to stop something worse than war. Do you
understand that?"

"Yes."

"All of CDA must go," Cyclonus insisted, "that
includes Alpha Trion."

"I support you, Cyclonus," Optimus returned. All I
care about is Roddi and Magnus."

Utilizing new technologies, the Decepticon space
bridge acted more like the transporter as seen in old
Star Trek movies. Optimus liked it more than the pick-you-up-and-dump-you-off archaic model as initialized
under Megatron's rule. Megatron's reputable impatience
led to the demise of many of his own scientists,
stunting Decepticon technology by several megania.

The space bridge cycle completed. It took a few
seconds, however, for shapes to assemble themselves
into recognizable patterns. Optimus' visual components
glitched worse than before. At least shapes came
clearly, even if colors inverted or remained absent
altogether. His scanners picked up signs of several
council-appointed guards lying along the left side of
the bridge like so many discarded bricks.

Two Decepticon femmes slipped out of shadow, as
though they melted out from it. They greeted the
invader party with charged weapons.

One femme in white and chrome greeted Galvatron and
Cyclonus with a simple nod. "The militia is in full-force, currently battling Defensor. Please, this way.
The guards will not be alone for long."

"Ash," Cyclonus called, "Rodimus Prime."

"I do not know. All entrances and exits in the city
have been barred. The runway was destroyed earlier this
evening. Please. This way." She led them six steps
before shifting down into a sleek white and silver
leopard. They followed her silent lead down a trap door
near the city's eastern wall. The passage dropped into
a lift which lowered the task force into the second
level.

Thundering footfalls muttered above them. Optimus
searched the darkness above. Part of him had no idea
what was going on. But the Matrix side sensed the
administration militia used a giant automaton enforcer
to recon the area. It thunked the ground searching and
reporting before it shifted into tank mode. Optimus
turned to the femme called Ash. "Do you know where they
are holding Ultra Magnus?"

"South side detention by the barracks. They
confined him after he eliminated Sixshot."

Optimus thought it odd the Decepticon femme should
spoke of a member of her kind with such indifference.
But maybe it wasn't so unusual. Sixshot worked for CDA.
His loyalty was not to his people.

Cyclonus folded his arms, his optics darkened with
scrutiny. "Optimus. Rescuing Magnus will do little good
so long as the council militia run Metroplex; riot or
no riot."

"I can save Magnus on my own. I know how to get
through the city without difficulty. It's getting to
Rodimus that will be difficult. Knowing Alpha Trion,
he'll be close to Rodimus, bragging. If you can keep
them unbalanced, I can free Magnus and the two of us
can deal with Alpha Trion."

Galvatron frowned, "Whatever we do, we must do it
all within the next two hours if we wish to use the
element of surprise. We must strike first, strike hard
and strike fast before Soundwave blows the Mars
facility."

"Galvatron is correct," Cyclonus agreed.
"Destruction of the Mars facility will mean all
contractual alliances between the CDA and the
Quintessons will be breached. Everyone will be fair
game."

Optimus' focus jumped from Cyclonus to Galvatron
and back. "I only need half an hour."

Galvatron looked bemused. "And if you should
encounter complications?"

Optimus' optics darkened. "I'm in no mood for
complications."

Optimus picked the safer and swifter routes across
Autobot city. He drove cautiously, ever mindful of his
companion-cat's invisible presence. Ravage hugged the
shadows and crevices; invisible to the unwary, but
available at a second's notice.

CDA militia crawled Metroplex's streets. Signs,
posts and internal communique via personal channels
ordered all Autobots either return to work or their
personal quarters. Automoton tanks and dogbots
attempted discouragement by presence, but even those
officers who used physical force failed to control
rioters or disobedient civilians.

Optimus paved a course outside rioting circles
where one throng of rebellious Autobots worked at
dismantling Rerouters, a recreation facility sponsored
by the Defense Administration. Burned or shredded
flags, banners, posters and signs praising Trion and
the CDA littered the streets.

Optimus transformed and faced Paisanax. The
military officer waited for a verbal response.
Distantly, a bomb exploded and cheers rose about the
beleagured city. "Sir," Paisanax tried to sound
authoritarian, "I will have to ask you to come with me
peacefully and quietly. You are under arrest for
violation of Metroplex curfew regulated under martial
law as declared by the Cybertronian Defense
Administration."

"Why do you work for them?" Optimus gazed with
emotionless optics. He did not recognize the Autobot's
facial features, but Optimus-or rather the Matrix-knew
the body shape, knew the person and his name.

"I was given orders to arrest anyone-"

"They are not Prime. I did not choose them. I did
not approve of them. Rodimus is your leader, Paisanax.
But you cater to rebels-"

"No! You are the rebel!"

"I am your guardian. Rodimus is my emissary. You
have rebelled against me. Put your weapon aside,
Paisanax. End the oligarchy. I will not tolerate it."

"No! No! I don't believe you! You're a deadbot-Primus, you are a zombie-"

p'teeeeeee... Another rifle charged behind
Paisanax. "Don't argue with the city director, Pal.
He'll more likely hang you by your audio sensors as
look at you."

Paisanax slowly complied then laced his hands over
his head.

"Good boy. Now, sit."

Again the military officer obeyed and when he
turned, he recognized the aerial commander. "Springer!
What the-"

"Shuddup! I've already had four fights with your
friends today." Springer waited for the military
officer to sit. He procured Paisanax's energy handcuffs
and secured the guy to the building rail. Springer
spoke as he moved, "Nice of you to pop in, Optimus. But
your timing needs tweaking."

"I'm looking for Ultra Magnus. Order cannot be
restored unless the city commander calls a truce."

"Why can't you do it? You're an in-charge type."

"It's not in my job description."

Optimus meant it as fact, but Springer found it
amusing. "Well, alright but you shouldn't be out here
by yourself."

"I'm not," Optimus pointed to the shadows of a
fallen column where Ravage crouched, waiting with
perfect patience.

Springer smiled, uncomfortable at the cat's
contemplative gaze. "Alright. So you have a nanny. But
you still shouldn't go sneaking around by yourself."

Optimus folded his arms and gave the aerial
commander a cast iron stare. Across the way, Ravage
snarled as though bored. The cybercat sniffed the air
before stretching his jaws in a yawn.

"Right," Springer agreed, "Uh, how about I
accompany you so I can stay out of trouble?"

Optimus turned away. "You're already in trouble,
Springer." The city director's long strides carried him
half the block before Springer realized he'd have to
partially run to catchup before Optimus transformed and
rolled along the torn and cluttered street.

*

Magnus hung suspended from the ceiling. He mentally
swung between regretful consciousness and dreams of
less complicated circumstances. Every inch of his frame
ached after uncounted hours of torture. Magnus sorely
berated himself. His considered his suffering just
punishment for failure to adhere to his
responsibilities.

He downright failed to support Rodimus. Magnus
betrayed Metroplex by allowing (of all things) a girl
to distract him. Rather than investigating Rodimus'
activities, Magnus should have investigated Trion and
his habitual interference in Prime's administration.
Instead of complying with the CDA, Magnus would have
complied with Metroplex senior staff.

Woulda. Coulda. Shoulda-as Rodimus put it.

That stupid fight they had in Optimus' office had
to be caused by a number of setups. After all, the way
Optimus handled affairs with Twin Twist was Rodimus'
business, not his. But maybe it wasn't so much of
Optimus' disciplinary style as it was how Magnus took
it; that Optimus was infringing on his 'turf'. Optimus
had every right to do what he did.

Woulda. Coulda. Shoulda. Now the city commander had
to think his way out of this predicament and do so
cleverly. Trion was not going to leave any bolts loose.

Upon public arrest, Trion humiliated Magnus by
declaring him a traitor to Autobots everywhere. Trion
stood before a first-response news crew, soaking up the
attention like a fresh celebrity. "I... I have no words
to convey the horror... " He choked up and looked away.
Gaining lost composure, the elder stared Magnus in the
optics and turned angry. "What have we done, Ultra
Magnus, to cause you to commit such a horrific deed?
You -you might as well have chosen one of our innocent
Human friends and splattered their frail bodies along
the wall! We will not-and cannot tolerated this sort of
behavior to even repeat itself! I will... seek a proper
judgement to ensure you will NEVER step foot in
Metroplex again!"

Trion turned to take his procession and his
prisoner out of the public eye. He appeared stricken
and downcast, even leaned against Swiss for physical
support.

The throng of reporters snapped more photographs
and thrust mini recorders above their heads.

"Alpha Trion-"

"Mister Trion-"

"Sir!"

"Elder Trion, if you please, one more-"

Trion turned, grief stricken. "Please," he begged.
"I promise to make another statement later. Yes, yes, I
know you need more information and I promise you'll get
it. But for now, be kind and patient, my dear friends."

Those reporters who respected and loved the Autobot
grandfather prompted their colleagues to follow Trion's
wishes.

CDA security planted Magnus in an ultra-security
carrier and carted him away. Autobots and Humans alike
watched, staring with hollow eyes. Magnus stared back,
not a bit remorseful. Trion could lie and carry on an
emotional game as he pleased. Magnus knew the truth.

As security turned a corner to descend into the
city's second level, Magnus caught sight of Loni
Carlson from KSUN. No cameraman hovered over her; she
stood alone with a tablet in hand, writing notes. She
scribbled quickly and when her eyes met Magnus' optics,
she flipped her note pad around.

I'VE SEEN THE SHAPE SHIFTER

As quickly as she flashed it, she turned away.
Magnus wondered if she knew about Trion and the true
nature of his band of ... pokies.

But Magnus did not get his hopes up too high.
Knowledge was power. But it would not save the Autobots
should the administration choose to exile Rodimus.

Security hauled Magnus to a storage room under the
city barracks. They clamped him from the ceiling while
Twin Twist gleefully chained his feet to the floor.

Magnus stared at the short-tempered punk. "You
know," he chimed, "I'm impressed you managed to crawl
up from the laundry chute. Or did someone dig you up
and wash you off? No, never mind that, Twin Twist. I
suddenly realized why Optimus dangled you from the top
of that building."

Twin Twist grunted. "Well, I have friends in all
the right places."

"Maybe," Magnus mused as Twist snapped clamps on
his feet, "I'm sure, however, that Optimus, given the
chance, would rather have executed you as a traitor-"

"HE'S NOT A CLANKING PRIME! ALRIGHT? Optimus holds
no power! I'm not afraid of him, Magnus."

"That didn't stop him, Twin Twist. Prime's the only
one who holds his leash. And now that Rodimus is out of
the way... and not knowing where Optimus is... well, I
think you're taking a big risk. Optimus is aware of
your questionable activities and loyalties."

"Your fear tactics won't intimidate me! I got good
friends!" Twin Twist opened a nearby cabinet and
selected a set of pain sticks used in high-level combat
training and activated their tips. The pain sticks
glowed soft green in the otherwise dimly-lit storage
room and cast a ghastly color along his face.

Twin Twist stepped back as the door down the hall
opened then closed. An anticipatory smile crept over
the Jumpstarter's face. "Now the fun begins."

The silent security guards departed and saluted
Alpha Trion and Simplex-T as they entered. The CDA
members greeted Twin Twist with casual nods. To Magnus'
horror, two Quintessons entered the room and floated
just behind Trion. Their green and white faces of Greed
stared with emotionless anticipation.

Twin Twist twirled the sticks. "He's got a mouth on
him, Sir."

"Excellent. Perhaps it will have something useful
to say."

Magnus eyed the Quintessons. "Made a few new
friends, Alpha Trion?"

"Business associates, Ultra Magnus."

"Oh. Of course. A friend to you is someone you can
manipulate. So... are you here to watch me get
dismantled?"

Trion lifted his face like a saint. "Ultra Magnus;
I'm surprised at you! I'm not here. I am spending the
entire evening with Rox listening to his collection of
Chinese eighteenth Century poetry. And a fine
collection it is, too! Filled with enlightened ideas
and principles the likes of which I'd recommend to you
if you weren't such a puppy dog. Speaking of which, you
broke Arcee's heart."

"I was tired of her self-absorbed, one-track mind."

Trion smiled, pleased. "Mm. Perhaps you should have
learned a few points from her, Magnus. Loyalty, duty
and knowing your place in the greater scheme of things.
It would have spared you this disciplinary action."

"I also got tired of kissing your aft."

Trion grabbed a pain stick and swaked it across
Magnus' middle. Potent raw energy snaked about his
thorax. Magnus' exterior rippled with the shock and his
plating cracked under the strain of a thousand
electrical bites.

Magnus screamed.

Satisfied, Trion tossed the stick to Twin Twist.

Magnus shuddered and berated his weakness and lack
of self control. As life blood trickled from fresh
wounds, he vowed to give them no further satisfaction.

Where is Optimus Prime?

Why haven't you kept better tabs?

What has Rodimus told you?

What do you know of Decepticon activity?

Why haven't you been reporting everything?

Why were you investigating Mirage?

The pain stick struck him behind the knees. Magnus
gulped air until he overtaxed his neutral hydroidic
systems. His visual receptors phased out of sync. Twin
Twist struck him across the back, twice across the
abdomen. That was nothing compared to the hole Twist
burned into Magnus' left leg. He shoved the damned
stick deeper and deeper until Trion called him off.

Tears drenched Magnus' face. He lifted his optics
toward the ceiling to maintain his silence. He barely
heard Trion's questions anymore. The pain sticks
whipped him until Magnus no longer felt certain areas
of his body. Twin Twist's enthusiasm delivered Magnus a
double-shot more than once. He even seared Magnus under
the left optic, leaving a partly-melted spot on Magnus'
cheek.

The city commander gave them no answers, or at
least, none they wanted. Exhausted and agonized, Ultra
Magnus hung against the steadfast shackles. His life
blood coated the floor so that Twin Twist slid away
when he hit Magnus again. Twist tried too hard, too
soon to regain traction and his legs slipped apart. He
landed face-out, chin smashed up and in.

Magnus did not see the moment. He clamped against
the scream, optics shut off. He heard snorts and
chuckles from the present group of Quintessons.

Fed up with Magnus' self-control, Trion snatched a
stick from Twin Twist and whacked it across Magnus'
face. "ANSWER ME!" he demanded.

THWAK! Across the right side.

THWAK! Across the left side.

Trion sank the stick into the wound he first
inflicted and left it there. Raw energy spiked agony
through Magnus' systems. The Elder came close so as to
speak softly: "Oh, Magnus. Why do you make me do this
to you? You and Rodimus... all I ever asked was for a
little bit of loyalty. But the two of you constantly
bucked the system. You insisted on doing things your
way. Why can't you just cooperate? Now... I have to go
to court. But I want you to stay here and think things
through. I hope you'll change your mind, Hmm? Just join
the good guys, Magnus. We'd love to have you on our
side. Think it over, alright?"

Trion removed the pain stick out and Magnus blacked
out. The Elder sighed. "I'm sorry," he said to his
Quintesson cohorts. "I seemed to have underestimated
his constitution."

The first Quint with the Face of Hate gave Trion an
evil smile. "Not to worry, Alpha Trion. We configured
the amount of time you'd waste torturing Ultra Magnus.
You've surpassed our estimate by seventeen point nine
minutes. It's been an enjoyable display."

Twin Twist secured the pain sticks and admired his
handiwork. Magnus hung there, a limp and bleeding doll.
As the Autobot elder talked quietly with the
Quintessons, Twin Twist smeared his finger along
Magnus' chest and tasted his blood.

"Twin Twist," Trion called. He ignored Twist's
sheepish and guilty expression, "we are leaving now.
Wait here fifteen minutes. Then remove him and lay him
outside the city. Be sure to use all the evidence I've
given you. Solara will not challenge me ever again.
Clean up this mess."

"Whatever."

Trion did not like the answer but let it go for the
moment. He escorted his Quintesson guests out, hoping
Twin Twist was smart enough to drag Magnus' mangled
form through the back exit so as not to stain the
hallway.

Twin Twist cleaned the walls, ceiling and the
floor. He mopped, scrubbed and sanitized. "I should
make you clean this up," he snarled at the unconscious
prisoner. "You're always telling me what to do. You,
Prime and the stupid city director." Twin Twist picked
up the painsticks and mopped the floor again before
taking his dirty water outside for a final dump. He
needed to hurry so as not to be caught dragging Magnus'
limp form outside Metroplex. Twist's problem, however,
was Magnus' bulk and weight. How was he supposed to
haul out something the size of an igyak?

One thing at a time. He stepped out, bucket in hand
and glanced left to right. The town lay quiet and
unaware it was about to lose it city commander.

Struck from above and behind, the Autobot tripped
and landed on his face. A large, heavy foot kicked him
over and pinned him down. Twin Twist's pain sticks
glowed eerily in the pre-dawn dark.

A second attacker picked them up and illuminated
his face in the eerie green glow: Springer.

Twin Twist gasped and choked under Optimus' foot.
"Wh-what are you doing here?! What the sludging pitt do
you think yer doing?! You could have killed me!"

The city director knelt, one knee firmly on Twin
Twist's chest. His optics dimmed to a creepy sadness.
"Did you sell your spark for a few moments of perverse
pleasure, Twin Twist? Or are you somehow obligated to
Trion so that you are his butler, his bath assistant
and his bitch?"

Twin Twist choked again. "I thought they were going
to kill me! Trion and his demons-"

Springer impatiently twirled a pain stick in his
hand. Optimus' optics dimmed with displeasure. "Is that
so?" His voice dipped lower, sending surges down
Twist's back. "I would have thought Trion more
gracious, promising you wealth upon his coup." Optimus
let up and stepped back. "I'll let Trion know you won't
be collecting." Optimus ended his pep-talk and Springer
sunk a pain stick into Twin Twist's cranium.

Optimus watched dispassionately as the
Jumpstarter's form wriggled and jolted. His optics
flashed twice before his body color vanished and froze.
Without second thoughts, Optimus entered the barracks.
Springer tailed behind. He twirled his pain stick and
smashed every CDA propaganda poster they passed.

Finding Magnus was no more difficult a task than
following muddy footprint left by a child. Although
amused by Twin Twist's shoddy janitorial work, Optimus
took no chances. He gave Ravage the lead and the black
cat sauntered along the corridor, sniffing and spying
niche and crevice for possible traps, bugs or cameras.
Not quite all clear. Springer took up the tedious task
of camera-busting. He put his heart into every swack of
pain stick or aimed shot with his gun.

Ravage gave his personal stamp of approval when he
picked up one camera and shook it like a toy. Optimus
left his feline escort outside the storage room.

He and Springer visually assessed Magnus' physical
condition. Working in silent tandem, Springer cut
Magnus loose while Optimus caught his friend and gently
lowered Ultra Magnus' broken form to the floor.

"Op-Op-" Magnus' voice would not come. All the
suppressed screams stressed his vocals. He wanted to
warn of Roddi's peril; of Optimus' own danger. But
nothing, nothing. Nothing. He fell limp against Optimus
and oh, so grateful to feel his friend's laser core.
Life against his own lifelessness. Optimus wrapped his
arms about Magnus' pained body. The city commander took
comfort in his friend's strength.

"Forgive me, Optimus." the city commander inwardly
pleaded. "I swearI will never betray you again,"

He heard Optimus' low, soothing tones, not unlike
the gentle murmur of distant thunder, the promise of
rain and relief from the torturing summer sun. No
words, just sound and comfort.